"Shy Spaghetti and Excited Eggs: A Kid's Menu of Feelings" is a feelings education book for
kids and parents, written to help "kids understand what they feel, why they experience an
emotion, and what they can do when feelings get too big or hard." This playful book starts with a
feelings restaurant menu that stresses 'All feelings are OK! No feeling is right or wrong!' Are you
a Happy Hot Dog, a Worried Watermelon, or a Scared Shrimp? Other choices include Sad
Spinach, Surprised Strawberries, Lonely Lettuce, and Confused Cupcakes, as well as Angry
Apples and Sorry Steak. Handy techniques for handling feelings that get too big are discussed, in
a practical, friendly tone. For example, a simple 6 step breathing exercise is offered to deal with
overwhelming feelings or being worried. Encouraging words help kids figure out the good side
of being scared ("If you're not scared first, you never get the chance to be brave!") "Shy Spaghetti
and Excited Eggs" is a wonderful tool and feelings manual to help kids figure out what they're
feeling, and what to do if the feelings get too big. A Note To Parents page gives further tips and
information about how to help children identify, experience, and manage their feelings. "Shy
Spaghetti and Excited Eggs" is a valuable resource for parents and kids with a goal of nurturing
healthy emotional growth. "Shy Spaghetti and Excited Eggs" also comes in a paperback edition
(9781433809576, $12.95).

"Bia Gets a New Baby Brother" is a lovely picture book for toddlers who have a new baby sibling
to love. Bia is excited about her baby brother, Eli, but sometimes she makes him cry without
realizing why, which makes her cover her ears. Gradually Bia gets accustomed to Eli and finds
ways to play with him that are fun for both of them. "Bia Gets a New Baby Brother" is a true
picture of the awkward pathways to be negotiated when a new baby is born into a family with
one or more older siblings. Both the bright illustrations and the large, action-oriented narrative
help build appeal for toddlers and young children.

"The Adventures of Wabby - The Present" is a children's book and CD from the Tales of Wabby series
that teaches children how to make decisions by listening to their heart, with love, patience, and
wisdom. Wabby is a stuffed rabbit who lives in Bunny Junction with his friend Hobo Hound.
One day Wabby finds himself doing some "stinkin 'thinkin,' a type of negative thought review
that made him sad and blue. Hobo offers to cheer Wabby up by finding him a very special
present. He carefully asks Wabby to close his eyes, count to 10, and then he presents a blank blue
book, with no words in it. Wabby doesn't understand. Hobo explains that the book is empty so
Wabby can fill it up with all the wonderful things that make him happy. Puzzled, Wabby goes off
to begin a very short list of things that make him happy. First he wrote "Carrots" and drew a big
orange carrot. Stumped, he thought a while and finally listened to his heart with love and
wisdom, asking "What makes me really happy?" The answer is a charming song, written in
illustrated verse, and performed on the accompanying CD. After singing all the silly things he
could think of that made him happy, Wabby just couldn't write them down fast enough. later
Grandma Bunny tucks Wabby into bed and he tells her all about his happy thoughts written in the
book Hobo Hound gave him. Grandma Bunny reminds Wabby he is a very lucky rabbit, and not
to forget she loves him, as Wabby falls asleep to his favorite lullaby. The accompanying CD
presents Kevin Roth performing three original songs - "The Present," "The Quiet Times,." and
"Hush Little Baby." Adorable colorful illustrations bring fluffy Wabby to life for children and
help underscore the message of gratitude.

"Marilyn is Moving!" is a whimsical illustrated kid's viewpoint on the many, scary changes and
choices that come with (the adults') decision to sell a home and move. Marilyn is not in favor of
the move, needless to say, and she finds many creative ways to express her disapproval and
protest. Finally, though even Marilyn must begin to accept the inevitable. Her home has been
listed, offered, and sold. She and her parents must find a way to agree on the new home they are
seeking. This part of "Marilyn is Moving!" is particularly amusing and accurate. With witty
narrative verse, and natty color-crayoned creations depicting the many types of different homes
the family considers, a bewildering, even dazzling array of choices is offered for examination. At
least Marilyn finally decides to get on board with the search for a new home, almost unnoticed.
The real estate broker's reaction to this family's indecisiveness is particularly authentic, perhaps
because the author is "a real estate broker who sees life in cartoon-form!" Kids can suspect the
happy ending, but not without some real education about architectural differences in homes and
the complex process of making choices that impact so much of daily life. "Marilyn is Moving!" is
a great book to open up discussion in families who face a move, or just to teach children
something about the significance of choices and how to work with (or against) the flow. In
addition to having a funny new textbook about different types of houses, readers can be content
to know that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of "Marilyn is Moving!" will be donated to
Habitat for Humanity.

"Wacky Jacky: The True Story of an Unlikely Beauty Queen" is a self-portrait of the author as a
child, written for children to inspire those who encounter special treatment because of their
differences. Jacky decides to try to enter a beauty contest even though she has crazy hair, skinny
knees, and her ethnicity is exotic, she is Jordanian. Encouraged by her friend Mary from the
Children's Hospital where Jacky volunteers, they design a special one-of-a-kind dress for her to
wear. Her mother, Yuma, helps her realize her creation with careful sewing and many sequins.
But what will she do with her wild, wacky hair? She decides to make the best of it and wears her
dazzling red sequined dress and dark curly hair and performs a Jordanian belly dance for her
talent act. In her question and answer portion, she tells the judges that what she learned from the
pageant experience was to choose to be proud of her special origin and unique talents, abilities
and attributes, because she has decided to use them to give life her best shot. Although another
girl wins the pageant, Jacky wins first runner up, and she wins a special Spirit award for her
volunteer work. Because this is "not the end" of the book, readers learn that Wacky Jacky went
on to do more philanthropic work and to become Miss Florida in addition to other achievements.
"Wacky Jacky" is a great, inspiring story for children of all ages, but especially girls age 7-11. A
portion of the proceeds from the sales of "Wacky Jacky" benefit CHARM, the author's national
outreach foundation (nonprofit) that aims to heighten awareness of children's issues, empower
young women, and enrich the lives of underprivileged youth.

The Art Shelf

"Miss Etta and Dr. Claribel: Bringing Matisse to America" is an amazing story of two daring
Jewish women who traveled to Europe and abroad from Baltimore and eventually collected some
of the most seminal pieces of early modern art by such famous artists as Matisse, Picasso, and
other famous artists of the turn of the century. Many reproductions of the Cone sisters' fabulous
art collection are included, as well as wonderful original illustrations by the author taken from
photos of the Cone sisters during their many extensive travels abroad. Directed to a youth
audience, "Miss Etta And Dr. Claribel" presents an amazing vista of the early development of
Contemporary Western art and two unusual women who supported a select few of the artists
through an exciting era.

The Crafts Shelf

Homemaker and crafter Jennifer Casa presents Teach Yourself Visually: Crafting with Kids, a
book offering 75 hands-on, user-friendly, inexpensive crafts that parents and babysitters can
enjoy with kids. From floating patchwork lanterns to stained-glass butterflies, snowflake
pinwheels, woven woolies, even a tabletop puppet theater, the many possible projects span a
wide range of children's possible ages and interests, and are brought to life with not only
step-by-step instructions, but also full-color photographs on every page. Highly
recommended.

The Educational Shelf

First in a series titled Best Me I Can Be!, "The Worst Day of My Life Ever!: My Story About
Listening and Following Instructions (..Or Not!)" follows RJ through the worst day ever, only to
find that what RJ can do to make his days better is to listen carefully and follow instructions.
How will RJ learn to do this when he finds it not fun and boring? Some steps suggested to RF
are: LOOK right at the person who is talking to you. DO NOT SPEAK until she is through.
Show that you've HEARD what she's trying to say by NODDING your head and saying 'OKAY.'
A similar checklist of ideas helps RJ to follow instructions. Gradually RJ realizes that the way
for him to have a really great day is to listen carefully and follow instructions. Taking
responsibility for listening and following instructions will give soon RJ the best day ever! "The
Worst Day of My Life" ends with a list of helpful tips for parents and educators, plus a reference
to the "Activity Guide for Teachers and Poster Set: The Worst Day of My Life Ever!" (ISBN
9781934490235, $19.95), which includes a DVD containing related worksheets and activities.
The complete set is recommended for students with attentiveness issues in grades K-5.
Particularly compelling are the amusing exaggerated illustrations in vibrant color.

The Sports Shelf

To be a champion is the goal of anyone who seeks a sport seriously. "The High-Tech Gooseneck
Putter" is a children's book as Samuel DiMatteo brings together a story of Sami DeMani as he
writes a story of a golfing gander whose luck goes our and leaves his career ruined. With the help
of technology, he might very well be able to play again as he presents a story of perseverance and
tenacity in the face of ill fortune. "The High-Tech Gooseneck Putter" is worth considering for
reading for any golf lover and their children.

The Christian Shelf

"Feed My Sheep: A Collection of Patty Stories" is a collection of Christian epiphanies with
accompanying scripture references and inspirational thoughts and meditations. Whimsical
colored cartoon illustrations add dimension to these "Patty stories." Patty is an 'every woman'
character who struggles with many issues of daily living. Inspiration is found in Christian beliefs
and scripture references. "Feed My Sheep" is one woman's signature on a life lived in hopeful
anticipation of Christian grace and forgiveness.

Secrets are powerful things, but too many secrets can be crushing. "Shattered" follows young
Cleo Neilson as she tries to face her own secrecy and the pressures of being a teenage girl on top
of it. An entry into Melody Carlson's Secrets series, she continues telling stories of teenage girls
who are pressured by secrecy with a strong element of faith throughout. "Shattered" is a fine
young adult read, perfect for collections that want to touch on faith.

Little One is a Christian children's storybook about the adventures of a naive newborn colt. When
the little colt has the misfortune to encounter a hungry bear, he must think quickly to survive -
but it is ultimately Jesus and Jehovah that save the day. Black-and-white illustrations on every
other page bring this heartwarming story of faith and love to life.

Intended to help elementary-age children build up their social and emotional skills, Every Kid's
Guide to Living Your Best Life lives up to its title with no-nonsense tips, tricks, and techniques
for dealing with strong feelings, making friends, learning the value of a positive outlook, and
much more. A cheerful black-and-white cartoon dog guides young readers thorough the
invaluable advice. "The good news is that I can change how I feel. The best way to change heavy
feelings, like feeling mad or sad or scared, is to stop 'holding on' to them. We hold on to feelings
when we think about them over and over. You can learn not to think about bad feelings over and
over again By practicing the activities in this book or by talking to an adult you trust, you will
discover how to let go of the heavy feelings." Highly recommended for school and public library
collections, Every Kid's Guide to Living Your Best Life also makes an excellent gift to help
young people get started on the right track in life.

Written by author Artie Knapp especially for young readers ages 6 to 10, Stuttering Stan Takes a
Stand is a storybook about a boy squirrel who loves many of the same things his fellow squirrels
do, but has difficulty speaking. Stanley keeps his feelings about being teased bottled inside, until
he makes a friend that teaches him an invaluable lesson. Charming woodland creatures and an
adventures plot with heart and a solid moral distinguish this excellent book for teaching children
about stuttering, whether they personally have a problem with it or not. Also highly
recommended is Artie Knapp's anthology "Yak's Corner: Children's Stories" (9780983135524,
$9.95), featuring a selection of animal-character stories originally published by the Detroit Free
Press' Yak's Corner magazine for students ages 6-13.

"The S.T.A.R. Powered Twins" is a Law of Attraction Book for Children written by an
award-winning (former) first grade teacher with a powerful commitment to helping each child
unfold all of his/her unique talents and abilities. Dedicated to the Oprah Winfrey New Earth
classroom and all its potential outreach capabilities, "The S.T.A.R. Powered Twins" is an
inspirational, empowering book for children that teaches the priceless value of positive thoughts,
images, and words. The STAR twins, Grace and Jace Star learn to explore and dream very big
dreams through use of their S.T.A.R. power words. Through dreams, these words come alive and
allow the children's dreams to manifest. Their parents and other special adults help them to learn
amazing vocabularies to help dream their very best dreams. Negative words like "don't, not and
no" are not allowed in this positive imaging universe. Each twin is encouraged to pursue their
own special dreams, thoughts and words. They are also encouraged to make a gratitude list and a
gratitude treasure map, because the secret to happiness is to feel gratitude, sending the Universe
special positive pictures, and the Universe responds by sending matching magical vibes that help
attract more love, beauty and happiness into the children's lives. "The S.T.A.R. Powered Twins"
ends with wonderful "I Am" affirmations, a list of empowering resource books and links, some
dedications, two poems, a note to parents, and a gratitude journal. Celestial, star-studded
illustrations shine throughout "The S.T.A.R. Powered Twins," keeping interest high and focused
on aspirations and joy. "The S.T.A.R. Powered Twins" seems right for children age 5 and up.

The Nature/Environment Shelf

"Olivia's Birds, Saving the Gulf" is a tremendous collection of a young artist's renditions of
beautiful birds endangered by the Gulf Oil spill. Created for her Save the Gulf campaign,
"Olivia's Birds" celebrates over 50 species in drawings and photos by the eleven year old author.
Honored for her inspiring efforts to reclaim the precious Gulf habitat for the endangered birds,
Olivia has proved that even kids can make a huge contribution to the problem of ecological
cleanup. Olivia is responsible for raising over, $150,000 for Audubon's Gulf oil spill recovery
program, sending each donor one of her very own bird paintings. Many of these paintings are
reproduced in "Olivia's Birds, for children and adults everywhere to enjoy. Handy inset nametags
with proper names and descriptions are featured alongside small reproductions of different bird
species. In addition to many fascinating bird facts and descriptions, "Olivia's Birds" contains a
list of specific suggestions for kids to work on to help mend and improve bird habitat and the
environment. There is also a list of helpful organizations for more information about birds and
wildlife conservation, including the National Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, Sierra
Club, Project Puffin, and more. Part of the message in "Olivia's Birds" is her 'if I were President'
section. These suggestions are very well thought out and significant: Regulate fishing companies
to limit fishing, stop deforestation, encourage pet adoption from animal shelters, and using
cleaner energy to help preserve the earth. Olivia says: "I am willing to help, and I want to make a
difference for those birds. I want to be their voice." "Olivia's Birds" supports Audubon's mission
to protect birds and their habitats, and is printed on FSC eco-friendly paper.

"Wow! Ocean!" is a lovely child's art book with extended illustrations and minimal text. Every
color illustration shows such ocean wonders as tide pools, shells, fish, sharks, whales, and much
more. Children will love tracing the detailed artistic illustrations. The sharks even have names
written on their backs in the sharks illustrations. "Wow! Ocean!" is the latest book in a series
using the big, bold, wow format since 20004, beginning with "Wow! City!" "Wow! Ocean!"
provides plenty of detail for children to look at for many happy hours. Simply stated, "Wow!
Ocean!" is a beautiful child's art book.

"Gulf Oil Spill" is a color illustrated summary of the 2010 Gulf oil rig spill which flooded the
Gulf with millions of gallons of oil, becoming the largest accidental oil spill in history. Ten
succinct chapters detail the chronicle of the disaster, plus the capping efforts and the cleanup
work, and effects on wildlife, habitat, and human life. After chapter on recovery, a glossary and
index provide additional information and resources. "Gulf Oil Spill" will attract the interest of
children in grades 3-6, with excellent disaster reporting.

Thurman Turtle is the new green hero for this creative new children's book that inspires kids
everywhere to take part in environmental cleanup and reducing carbon their footprints and
learning to live green. Thurman is quite upset at the trash that litters his creek bank home. It even
spoils his sister's wedding! However, he is determined to do something about it, although all his
turtle friends and relatives tell him nothing can be done to change the destructive, disrespectful
behavior of humans. Even though he is just one small angry turtle, Thurman is determined to
make a difference. The rest of the story takes Thurman to a confrontation with trash, a group of
elementary students who are working to clean the environment, and a daring rescue and release
by one of the small humans involved in reclaiming the ecosystem. Rethink, Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle, is the mantra chanted by Miss Thornberry's students. Ultimately the message of "Living
Green" is that everyone must do their part to help clean and protect the environment, no matter
how small. Kids can be a big help and play a significant role in cleanup and reeducation of all
humans. Thurman Turtle may be just one small green character on a crusade, but he starts a
mighty movement that will not be stopped. "Living Green" is designed to be enjoyed by children
ages 5-10. The cheery, bright illustrations underline the invigorating message of the indefatigable
Thurman.

"Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns Too Much of a Good Thing is Bad" is the latest in the
imaginative Howard B. Wigglebottom series for children ages 4-8. Howard the inquisitive bunny
tackles the issues of overconsumption, include childhood obesity. He learns that in fact it is
possible to have too much of a good thing. In the end, Howard tells his mom, "one piece of cake
and one hour for TV and games will be enough, thank you." The gentle, fluffy edged illustrations
bring the textures of Howard and his world to life for young imaginations.

"Oliver McCoy The Vegetable Boy" is the second in a series written to teach children the joy and
pleasure of eating vegetables, and fruits. Written in engaging verse and jauntily illustrated,
"Oliver McCoy the Vegetable Boy" traces the evolution of a vegetable lover. Oliver begins by
eating onions, only onions. Finally his parents persuade him to try other vegetables and a whole
new world opens up. His father introduces him to the practice of gardening and growing his own
vegetables in his back yard- carrots and cucumbers, lettuce and squash, even green peppers and
pumpkins! Finally Oliver dreams of opening his very own vegetable stand, so he can introduce
his friends to new, healthful vegetable treats, encouraging them to eat fewer sweets. "Oliver
McCoy the Vegetable Boy" has its own accompanying CD for kids and parents to enjoy. "Oliver
McCoy the Vegetable Boy" is a great youth health series designed to promote healthy eating by
kids, a great investment in our future.

"Big Book of How: 501 Facts Kids Want to Know" is an encyclopedia of fascinating facts and
information to a variety of curious questions kids frequently ask. Divided into 10 chapters
covering questions relating to animals, safety practices, sports, buildings, science, transportation,
home tech, food, space, the human body and going green, the "Big Book of How" is a reference
treasure for middle school age kids. A handy introductory chapter page gives hints for how to use
the book's individualized features, including factoids, information boxes, diagrams and photos,
and identifying color borders, plus experiments specific to each chapter's topic. Find the answers
to such questions as how do elephants communicate? How do honeybees make hives? How do
you do a skateboard trick called an Ollie? Ho was Mount Rushmore built? How are birds cleaned
after an oil spill? ...and many more. A glossary and multiple experiment activities complete this
attractively packaged fact book for students age 9 and up.

I See the Sun in Afghanistan is a striking, softcover children's picturebook about a day in the life
of Habiba, a young Afghan girl in the village of Bamiyan. Her cousins, aunt and uncle are about
to move in with her family; Habiba wonders how everyone can possibly fit into their dwelling.
Although the costs and tragedies of the Afghan war form the background of this storybook, it is
primarily about simply living and working together as a family. Simple color illustrations
enhance I See the Sun in Afghanistan, an exceptional and humanizing work worthy of the highest
recommendation for school and public library collections.

"The Hijab Boutique" is a creative story about a Muslim girl named Farah who fearfully tackles
the problem of presenting a project about her mother on International Women's Day. The
problem is her mother is so ordinary! But surprises abound in "The Hijab Boutique," and the best
surprise is the creativity of both Farah and her mother in solving some very real life issues.
Educating her classmates and others in the Muslim women's ways of wearing fabric known as
hijab becomes part of an amazing and beautiful solution. "The Hijab Boutique" is a wonderful
book that will appeal to young readers age 10 and up. Black and white illustrations add to the
message's impact. One of the striking attributes of "The Hijab Boutique" is its sensitive treatment
of the topic of respecting cultural differences, and rethinking automatic responses.

Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre World of Food: Brains, Bugs & Blood Sausage comes from an author
who has consumed smoked puffin, giant fruit bats, worm cheese, and more, and provides a lively
survey of the cultural and social situations around the world which have lent to his surprising
eating habits. Discussions of exotic travel and food around the world normally aren't tailored to
the young adult audience - which makes Bizarre World of Food: Brains, Bugs & Blood Sausage
even more exciting for any young adult reader looking for something startlingly different.

The Activity Shelf

The Kids' Summer Fun Book lives up to its title with well over one hundred fun and inexpensive
activities young people can do to enjoy summertime to its fullest. Suggested activities
appropriate for car travel, the beach, the woodlands, one's own backyard, or even rainy day fun
pack this excellent resource for parents and babysitters as well as children. From learning the
basics of body surfing, to making a model of the solar system markers, tape and simple toilet
paper, to creating a terrarium, rubbing leaves, pressing flowers, and even croquet, The Kids'
Summer Fun Book is a treasury of both time-tested and inventive activities. Highly
recommended.

The Picturebook Shelf

Named "Most Outstanding Children's Book" by the well-known Mom's Choice Awards, Nobody
Likes Me is a picturebook about a young girl who is frustrated because she feels that people are
ignoring and neglecting her. But her parents eventually show her the truth: "Sometimes people
we love have things that they must do. / That doesn't mean they don't think the world of you! /
'Nobody likes me?' It simply isn't true! / My sweet little girl, everybody loves you!" Charmingly
illustrated by Aki Fukuoka, Nobody Likes Me is a heartwarming story that especially lends itself
to being read aloud at storytime or bedtime.

Author Autumn Stanley originally wrote Marcie's Daffodil for her own children. The result is a
poignant picturebook story about a serious family occurrence rarely dealt with in children's
literature - when a miscarriage happens in the family. Young Marcie has been taking care of a
beautiful daffodil; when she learns that her mother won't be coming home from the hospital with
a baby, she resolves to have the beautiful flower ready to present to her when she comes home.
Also available in a softcover edition (9781453575765, $19.79), Marcie's Daffodil is emotionally
moving and an exceptional pick for public library children's picturbook collections.

"The Quite Contrary Man: A True American Tale" is a curious true American story about a man
named Joseph Palmer who rebelled against the rigid expectations of his society and times by
wearing a long flowing mustache and beard. Palmer was a friend to Ralph Waldo Emerson and
the Alcotts. Once his starchy New England neighbors actually tried to shave his beard, but he
only fought them off, but ended being fined and imprisoned for being unruly! He actually ended
spending a whole year in jail, writing letters to his family complaining about miserable prison
conditions. Beard Palmer's family supported him and believed in him, agreeing that it was his
right to wear his beard as he chose. Finally Beard Palmer was released from jail, but even that
event had some curious twists and turns! Ultimately, styles of men's facial hair changed, and by
the 1860's it was so accepted to have a beard that a little girl wrote to President Lincoln
encouraging him to grow one, to improve his presidential appearance. "The Quite Contrary Man"
is a quirky story that illustrates an important American principle: The individual's right to
freedom of expression and nonconformity. Humorous illustrations detail the intriguing incidents
in the life of "The Quite Contrary Man," and a painless but important history lesson is delivered
in a charming package of smiles.

"The Magic Word" is a versed tale about a rude little girl named Elizabeth Keys, who never said
"please." Sharing, taking turns, cooperating in play, these were not for Elizabeth. But when her
mother suggests they plan a birthday party, with invitations, how many friends would come to
Elizabeth's party? After a few tears and some disappointment, Elizabeth learns about the magic
word, "please," from her wise mother. Changing her manners is not always easy, but Elizabeth
tries. She discovers the Golden Rule is good for me and you. Brightly illustrated and jauntily
presented, "The Magic Word" is a clever presentation of a wise lesson for children 5 and up.

"Bug and Bear" is a delightful illustrated story about two friends who were very different, Bug
and Bear. Bug wants to play but Bear wants to nap, so Bug buzzes around while Bear seeks ways
to hide quietly. Bear wants Bug to leave her alone, but Bug says "We can be alone together!"
"That's impossible!" grumbles Bear. Many amusing interactions later, Bear decides she has not
been a kind friend to Bug and decides to go looking for her. Fortunately she rescues Bug just in
time, floating on a lily pad in the lake. Finally Bear and Bug are together, Bear apologizes to
Bug, and both friends take a nap together! The story of Bug and Bear is enhanced by whirling
lines of text from Bug and gentle pastel illustrations of Bug and Bear and friends. "Bug and
Bear" is a fine book to teach acceptance and celebration of differences to children ages 4-8.

"Hannah, Gran's Treasure Box" is a story of a special girl whose name is a palindrome, which
means her name is spelt the same from both ends. Once Hannah woke up from a bad dream and
went to her Grandmother to be comforted. When the bad thoughts won't go away, Gran teaches
Hannah a special, easy way to follow her very first butterfly dream, so that she will never have
bad dreams again. Gran shows Hannah her special treasure box and carefully read her a rhyme:
"When I'm in bed, I close my eyes/ Then think of happy things/ So when I sleep, I know I'm safe/
and fly like a butterfly - with wings!" She teaches Hannah to imagine many beautiful, happy
things and soon Hannah is only thinking happy thoughts. Hannah learns to think strong positive
thoughts and to create restful and beautiful dreams for herself and has no more bad dreams.

"Allie's Elephants" is a delightful children's picture book about a girl who loves her elephant
collection (large, but of small elephants that can fit in a room). Allie is surprised one day when
her mother and father say they will take her to see some big, new elephants. She has a magical
trip to a zoo where she got to see real live elephants bathing, eating, and drinking, and even
playing. She could not believe how huge they were. Though she hated to leave the zoo, she was
very thankful in her prayers for the fun trip to the zoo to see real live elephants! "Allie's
Elephants" is imaginatively illustrated with pastel drawings and even contains a favorite recipe
for Nana's Peanut Butter Cookies, which Allie loves because elephants love peanuts! "Allie's
Elephants" will appeal to children age 3 and up.

Intended for parents and caregivers to read aloud with children at a kindergarten or first grade
reading level, Jack and the Toddler is part of the excellent "We Both Read" series. Like the rest
of the series, every two-page spread of Jack and the Toddler features a more complex page for
parents to read on the left, and a simpler page for children to read on the right. The story follows
young Jack, frustrated at having to play with a much younger toddler - yet he soon learns that
spending time with younger children can be fun, too! A gentle and joyful picturebook, Jack and
the Toddler is a treasure to share.

"Seven Days of Daisy" is a charming week of adventures in the life of Daisy, a seven -year - old
girl who lives on an island, a big rock in a blue bay. She is waiting for 7 days to pass before her
Nana comes to visit. Every day has special beach and island activities described and illustrated in
wonderful crayon, charcoal and pastel on construction paper medias. Finally Daisy crosses off
the seventh day and resolves to tell Nana all about her week tomorrow. "Seven Days of Daisy" is
a delightful book for children age 4 and up.

What a Disaster: A Quinton Quarter Adventure is a softcover, rhyming children's picturebook
about an anthropomorphic quarter who is tremendously dismayed when a little girl decides to
paint his face red with nail polish. Eventually the girl's mother saves the day with discipline - by
requiring the girl to clean her room thoroughly, and take the nail polish off the quarter too!
Colorful illustrations bring this cheery story about the importance of taking responsibility for
one's actions to life, and Tate Publishing offers those who buy the book a free online audiobook
digital download (via coupon code) on the website.

"The Megasaurus" is an unusual creative book about some bean-shaped bears that face a
problem. They have a resident monster Megasaurus whose favorite food is beans! The King
(Limalot) of Beandom follows his wisest advisor and tries to give the Megasaurus pancakes
instead of beans, despite a warning from L. Joe Bean that this is not a good plan. When this plan
doesn't work, another plan is suggested by an owl named Towel, to drive the Megasaurus off
with bows and arrows. This plan also is doomed to failure, as predicted by L. Joe Bean. Just
when things are looking truly dim for the bean bears, L. Joe Bean confronts the Megasaurus with
a newly invented plan of his own. The planned teamwork of the bean bears is carefully exploited,
and the terrible Megasaurus is actually frightened away by an imaginary monster that is simply
himself with a mask, reflected in a mirror. The end is that King Limalot decides to replace his
former wise owl advisors with L. Joe Bean, the Bear who thought the problem through and came
up with a creative, cooperative solution that worked. There are many good lessons to be learned
by children reading "The Megasaurus," and some of these are extended or amplified by further
learning activities labeled Extend the Learning and Activities page (limabearpress.com).
Additional books in the Lima Bear Press series include ("Lima Bear's Halloween," and "How
Back-Back Got His Name." "The Megasaurus" is recommended for children ages 4-8. Three new
titles in this series are also forthcoming.

"What Are You Doing?" is a wonderful story about Chepito's experiences on his way to his first
day of school. When he sees many different people reading, he asks first "What are you doing?"
and second, "Why, why, why?" There are a wide variety of answers to his second question, from
wanting to fix a broken car to finding a new fancy hairdo, to reading a map to get oriented. Even
an archeologist is using a manual to read inscriptions on the side of an ancient temple to discover
ancient Mayan histories of old wars. At first, Chepito doesn't want to go to school very much.
But after meeting so many people reading for so many different reasons, he decides it might be
fun to have a book to read himself. "What Are You Doing?" is the perfect book for a busy little
boy who doesn't quite get the charm of story time versus active playtime. Even for Chepito,
reading is addicting.

"The Summer Visitors" is a delightful sequel to "The Winter Visitors," featuring a family of
bears who carefully co-inhabit a summer cottage and forest setting with a human family for the
summer. Minimal narrative and story-telling watercolors present a gently amusing tale. Little do
the members of the human family guess or suspect who shares their wonderful summer cottage
experiences. The bear family, on the other hand, happily explore strange new experiences such as
swimsuits and life jackets on a boat ride while the human family sleeps. The parallel narratives
occasionally cross or mingle, and hidden smiles come out like the sun from clouds. "The
Summer Visitors" is a delightful summer vacation book experience for children of all ages.

Based on the Disney short of the same name, "The Ballad of Nessie" tells the story of Nessie, the
Loch Ness monster, and her friend MacQuack in gently humorous verse. Nessie and MacQuack
are forced to seek a new home when Tycoon MacFroogle decides to turn their former home into
a tourist-attracting golf links monstrosity. Nessie is encouraged by a friend with the words, "Chin
up, now, pip-pip!" But she searches high and low with MacQuack and finally gives in to despair,
weeping copiously for days. Finally she recovers herself and notices, wonder of wonder, she has
created her new home with her tears! Nessie and MacQuack settle in to the beautiful Loch Ness,
with the newfound certainly that sometimes wonderful new solutions can arise from fears and
tears. Filled with plaid-tinged Disney illustrations, "The Ballad of Nessie" will soundly appeal to
children of all ages.

"The Grand Festive Picnic" (a Kids Love Life book) is a charming child's adventure story written
with tongue twisting alliterative names and colorful animal characters who love to have happy
times together. Lulu the Lioness cub, Pink Lucy Goosey, and Albert and Alex alligators decide to
have a grand festive picnic together. The menu includes spinach quiche, tamales, chocolate
dipped strawberries, cheese tortellini, shrimp brochette, garlic mashed potatoes, and key lime pie.
Luckily, Albert and Alex are excellent chefs and enjoy entertaining guests. After a fabulous feast
and a grand festive picnic, the two friends embrace and thank each other for the gift of friendship
and spending good times together. "The Grand Festive Picnic" ends with some talk time blanks,
for sharing stories of the reader's special times of friendship and celebration, and some thoughts
about the importance of friendship and celebration, plus more blank pages for additional notes
and thoughts. "The Grand Festive Picnic comes with free audio book digital download, perfect
for young children ages 4-8.

The Ugly Duckling Dinosaur: A Prehistoric Tale receives Doug Kennedy's engaging drawings as
it tells of the ancestor of the modern day duck who awaits the hatching of her eggs. The last egg
to hatch holds a surprise: it has no feathers, no waddle - and is a dinosaur. He's teased that he's
ugly and tries to be on his own, but every potential friend just runs away, and he can't find his
place in his world. A fun, different folk story emerges.

If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet offers 48 pages of fun alphabet images created
from rocks the author discovered on a Florida beach. She discovered rocks in the shape of each
letter of the alphabet - and began collecting rocks resembling objects that begin with each letter.
This different ABC book will amaze and delight a wide audience, from adults to kids, with its
fun 'discovered alphabet' images.

CHOCOLATE MOOSE revels what could happen when a big moose squeezes into a little
bakery, challenging baker Mrs. Mouse who wanted a helper not quite so large. Moose is
determined to lend a hand - and he does know his chocolate. A fun story of a moose that gets
covered in trouble makes for a fine tale especially recommended for its fun, whimsical
drawings.

"Monkey Mind: A Captivating Bedtime Story for Children" presents an imaginative solution to
children's restlessness, leading to difficulties in focusing, relaxing, and getting to sleep. Using
concepts from ancient philosophies and modern parenting practices, "Monkey Mind" suggests
that the child try to imagine listening to the sounds deep in a rainforest, where the distracting
"monkey mind" may jump about, then the child imagines raindrops hitting the ground and
finding a quiet mind, along with the sound of the rainfall into a river bed. While gently closing
his eyes, the child smiles and hears other jungle sounds, including monkeys. Breathing quietly,
with every breath, the child drifts closer to his quiet self, and is able to say goodbye to his
monkey mind. Delicate, dark-to-pastel colored illustrations foreshadow the way to this inner
journey in visual portrayals. The audio version of "Monkey Mind" is available on the
Monkey-Fish Dragon CD or Mp3 download. Other stories in the Monkey-Fish Dragon Series
include "Wu Wei: A Catchy Fish Tale for Children," and "Kalpana: An Imaginary Story for
Children." A beautiful book as well as a parent's trusted retraining tool, "Monkey Mind" is
recommended for children age 4 and up.

"Germs Are Not For Sharing/ Los germenes no son para compartir" is a bilingual illustrated
health teaching manual for young children that teaches good health habits when sneezing or
coughing, because germs are not for sharing! Kids also learn 10 good times to wash their hands,
one for each finger. Large, black outlined, brightly colored illustrations decorate each page, and
Spanish text is presented beneath the English text. At the end are a few more pages of key
information about germs to be read by adults and kids together. "Germs Are Not For Sharing" is
aimed at an audience of children ages 4-7.

"When Your School Bus Goes to Mexico/ Cuando Tu Damion Escolar Se Va a Mexico" is a
bilingual children's story about an old school bus that was sold for many new lives of service in
Mexico. The bus is painted many times, is used to carry musicians, city travelers, tuna fish
cannery workers, and tomato pickers going to fields to work. Finally the bus got old and rusty
and stopped working. Left at the edge of a field, tall weeds grew around it and animals made
homes around and inside it. The bus was forgotten until a terrible hurricane struck doing much
damage and leaving many families homeless. One homeless family received permission to use
the bus for a temporary shelter, so they scrubbed it and moved into it. They fixed it up like a little
home, with whitewashing and curtains and a kitchen, and flowers growing by the door. The story
of the bus is told by a bus driver to entertain children on a school bus who are waiting for repairs
to come. He remembers the story's details because he and many members of his family were
passengers on the bus that went to Mexico, in one of its many reincarnations. large, brightly
colored illustrations fill the pages of "When Your School Bus Goes To Mexico," and the text in
English is at the top of the page while the Spanish text is at the bottom of the page. Winner of the
Moonbeam Children's Book Award, "When Your School Bus Goes to Mexico" is a cultural
discovery book with many positive messages for young readers about the life and settings for the
repurposed school bus in Mexico. It encourages cultural curiosity and celebration of differences,
as well as bilingual reading skills.

Colores de la Vida: Mexican Folk Art Colors in English and Spanish is a simple yet beautiful
bilingual picturebook designed to teach young readers the basic colors in English and Spanish.
Each two-page spread has the name of a color in both languages, and a captivating photograph of
an Oaxacan folk art animal sculpture featuring that color. All the colors of the rainbow plus
silver are featured in this beautiful gateway to the Spanish language and Mexican culture.

Little America is a board book for beginning readers, written in the format of ten rhyming riddles
about American treasures. For example, riddle five is "Baked in the oven, round and sweet, try a
slice for a tasty treat," and the answer is "Apple Pie", naturally. Bright, colorful illustrations add
the perfect touch to this delightful addition to the "Little" board book series for the very
young.

"Every Day By the Bay" is a delightful illustrated board book for youngsters age 0-5 years with
jolly tales of outings and pictures of beach life activities for children. Two young families and 6
children enjoy vacation days by the bay in all kinds of weather, rainy, chilly, sunny, and windy.
Cheerful, brightly colored illustrations show specific treasures for children to identify and seek at
the bay, and outdoor activities in all weather is positively featured. "Every Day By the Bay" is a
great children's vacation story that can help youngsters anticipate or remember pleasant outdoor
times at the bay.

"Get Happy" is a delightful preschool-age illustrated book with text in verse and soft, colorful
pictures of children finding happy ways to play through their day. The style of verse is simple
two-word commands that promise ways to be happy to any young child "Sniffle less. Snuggle
more!" For simplicity, the message of "Get Happy" could not be more efficient or effective.
Parents and young children will enjoy poring over each page of illustrations that embellish the
pungent verses.

The Native American Shelf

"Tales of Little Bear and Little Buffalo" is a collection of authentic family stories about two
Choctaw-Chitimacha Indian boys who lived on Isle de Jean Charles near Houma, Louisiana,
during the early 1900's, when traditional life was changing rapidly. Little Bear and Little Buffalo
are descended from a chief of the Choctaw-Chitimacha Indian tribe who chose to settle on the
Isle de Jean Charles, close neighbors of the Cajun French speaking community. Little Bear and
Little Buffalo face many challenges and adventures in their daily lives. Just walking to school is a
great danger as certain hungry swamp predators are hunting early in the morning when the boys
need to be going to school. So it was safer to go to school by boat, if possible, in the cypress
swamp. Little Bear and Little Buffalo manage to accomplish a deed of great value to the tribe in
trapping, roping and catching a huge alligator who had been eating calves and livestock. Even
though he tries to keep his deed secret, Little Bear is awarded with his own dugout by his father
as a sign of respect and acknowledgement that he had done something for the good of the tribe.
Other tales of Little Bear and Little Buffalo are filled with many more examples of adventures,
near misses, escapes, and also values and lessons learned. Loyalty, friendship, and courtesy and
respect for elders, and responsibility for the good of the family and the tribe are recurring themes.
The "Tales of Little Bear and Little Buffalo" originated as family stories and verbal histories, and
their sharing and retelling enriches a wide audience. Young readers age 8 and up will enjoy these
exciting tales of a different time, an exotic place and a life that was very close to nature.

"The Adventures of Sasha and Malia at the White House" is a creative children's book about the
history of Black Americans from slavery to emancipation to the election of our first Black
President, Barack Obama, in November of 2008. Sasha and Malia, daughters of President Obama
and Michele Obama, find history relived and revealed in their explorations of the White House
Library. The girls meet an imaginary guide, a black man named Hosiah, in their adventures.
Hosiah helps them understand the story of how their father could come to be president of the
United States of America. In the process, they meet Charles Douglas, son of Frederick Douglas,
who wrote down ideas that inspired proposed legislation that was destined to become Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the black slaves in America. If this had not happened,
Sasha and Malia's father could not have become president over 100 years later. Sash and Malia
have many more harrowing adventures and interactions in their mystical trip back in time, but
they finally return to the present with a firmer understanding of the men and women who helped
shape history for Black Americans. "The Adventures of Sasha and Malia at the White House"
uses both imaginary or fictitious and real characters to tell the story of emancipation of Black
Americans. At the end of the book, questions and answers cover some of the issues faced by the
first Black Americans who worked so hard for Emancipation. "The Adventures of Sasha and
Malia" is written to be enjoyed by children age 7-10.

"Cowboys and the Wild West" is from Kingfisher's 'All About America' series written and
illustrated expressly for children ages 9-12 featuring the exciting frontier history of the south and
western United States. Focused on the era between the early 1800's and 1890, "Cowboys and the
Wild West" presents exciting pieces of historical information as two page articles with lots of
period photographs, drawings and illustrations, and handy historical note sidebars. There are
articles on vaqueros, the cattle business, being on the trail, stampede, guns and rifles, outlaws and
lawmen, and dividing up the open range, which led to range war and the end of an era. In
addition to many exciting pages of articles, notes, and engravings, "Cowboys and the Wild West"
is completed with a glossary, timeline, and additional information including both websites and
bibliography. Meticulously researched and presented, "Cowboys and the Wild West" is a
fabulous resource that will both entertain and accurately educate students in grades 4-6. Other
titles recommended in this outstanding series include: "All About America: Colonists and
Independence," by Sally Senzall Isaacs (ISBN 978-753465134), "All About America: Wagon
Trains and Settlers," by Ellen H. Todras (ISBN 9780753465110), and All About America: Gold
Rush and Riches," by Paul Robert Walker (ISBN 9780753465127). All titles are also available in
a paperback edition for $9.99 each.

"Pixie Tales" is a pithy little collection of fantasy tales for children ages 4-9. Color illustrations
add interest and spark. The pixies and fantastic being play helpful roles in solving real problems
like how do you deal with bad kids who try to destroy natural settings and creatures. Designed to
be read by older children to younger children, "Pixie Tales" offers some unexpected perspectives
on issues children are becoming aware of, such as how to keep hope and magic alive as we age.
"Pixie Tales" is filled with charm, surprises, and magical spunk. Children will enjoy sharing is
with their favorite adult.

"Billie the Unicorn" is a delicious adventure/fable by the acclaimed creator of The Powerpuff
Girls and many other animated works. Billie wishes to grow beautiful flowers and plants like her
forest friends, Rhubarb and Smudge, skilled unicorn/gardeners. Although her first attempts are
slight (blue cornflowers and corn), she is determined to accomplish greater garden miracles. She
follows her dream out of the forest to a garden of the Queen but this turns out to be a disastrous
move. Thanks to the kindness of her friends, Rhubarb and Smudge, Billie is rescued from a
dreary life of chained unicorn servitude. Billie discovers that you can't grow flowers when you
are not happy, and the best recipe for happiness and success is to be true to yourself. "Billie the
Unicorn" is sure to appeal to children ages 4-8, and their parents will enjoy reading it with their
children.

"Pelly and Mr. Harrison Visit the Moon" is a whimsical illustrated fantasy about space travel by
bathtub, with adventures. Pelly and her spotted dog, Mr. Harrison notice there is a rocket engine
attached to their bathtub. They excitedly decide to go to the moon! They meet a friendly green
alien who invites them home for dinner - moon pies, of course! Then they go gravity leaping,
which MR. Harrison excels at. After many more moon adventures (including making s'moons,
Pelly's personal favorite), Pelly and Mr. Harrison say goodbye to their moon friend and sail back
to earth in their rocket powered bathtub. A familiar voice asks Pelly if she's done brushing her
teeth, and the pair retire to dream of moon pies. But wait! Up on the moon, a little green alien
child notices something strange about his bathtub -------! All kids of any age (but especially 4-8)
will adore "Pelly and Mr. Harrison visit the Moon" for its vitality, imaginative whimsy, and sense
of fun. The unusual labeled illustrations and choice of purple/green color combos bring delightful
detail to a wonderful fantasy.

Clyde the Undead Dust Bunny is a children's novel following intrepid fourth grader Dr. Wei
Smart (the preferred nomenclature of the young protagonist and Future Man of Science) as he
discovers a mysterious new life form under his dresser. Or is the Dust Bunny truly alive at all?
As our curious-minded hero studies his new discovery, the revelations threaten to transform his
latest find into a big problem! An enjoyable read cover-to-cover, Clyde the Undead Dust Bunny
is especially notable for featuring an intelligent young hero who loves science.

Laurence Yep's CITY OF ICE (9780765319258, $17.99) provides Book 2 of the City Trilogy and
is a 'must' for any collection seeing excitement over the prior book. Set in an alternate version of
our world in 1941, a place packed with magic and mystical beings such as dragons - this provides
the continuing story of Scirye and her companions who are pursing an evil dragon and a villain -
all the way to the Arctic Circle. A prince trader and his daughter help them chase their enemies,
but the real goal is the prevention of evil's ability to alter the universe itself. A spirit friend could
either help or hurt in this involving saga. David Lubar's ATTACK OF THE VAMPIRE
WEENIES AND OTHER WARPED AND CREEPY TALES (9780765323453, $15.99) tells of
a middle school boy up against a free-for-all when a party is invaded by some surprise guest. It's
the vampire weenie - and this offers a new Weenies short-story collection perfect for
middle-school readers who prefer to absorb short tales of humor and fantasy.

The second book in the Stanley Park series, Sammy Squirrel & Rodney Raccoon To The Rescue
is a brief novel intended for young adults ages 7 to 12 following animal friends Sammy Squirrel
and Rodney Raccoon, in their search to find and rescue their captured crow friend Judy. Their
quest takes them from their cozy park home to the hustle and bustle of the big Canadian city of
Vancouver, and the mysterious underground Animal Inn. New friends Ferdinand Fox and
Mortimer Mole lend their aid in this exciting adventure of bravery, friendship, and daring to
challenge the unknown! A handful of black-and-white illustrations enhance this engaging
story.

The Case of the Purple Diamonds is the first book of the "Barkley, Secret Service Dog" chapter
book series for young readers ages 8-12. Featuring the titular sunglasses-wearing protective
pooch and girl who starts out on his bad side but works with him to crack the mystery, The Case
of the Purple Diamonds is a free-spirited adventure brought to life with full-color, cartoon-style
illustrations on almost every page. Highly recommended as a great way to foster a love of reading
in young people, The Case of the Purple Diamonds is an excellent giftbook as well as a choice
pick for school and public library fiction collections.

Clover, the Plover, and Muffin, the Puffin and the Oil Spill is not an ordinary children's
storybook - the tale of two avian families that come together in the wake of tragedy is a solid
metaphor for the existence of blended and foster families today. Uncomplicated black-and-white
illustrations add a visual touch to the immersive tale of feathered friends trying to survive and
thrive in the wake of a terrible event. Highly recommended.

Social worker, former teacher, and award-winning author Eric Walters presents I've Got an Idea,
a novel for young adults following two young men, Alex and Sam, gifted with above-average
intelligence, if not necessarily a corresponding sense of caution! When they befriend and unusual
fellow sixth-grader named Twilight Stevens, she talks them into a surprisingly dangerous
undertaking - they plan to sneak off to New York City to see a rock concert! Their journey
becomes an order of magnitude more convoluted as they find themselves hiding in her father's
apartment and desperately trying to dodge a menacing gang of brutes. A rollicking adventure
ensues!

Latasha and the Little Red Tornado is an engaging novel for young adults following
eight-year-old Latasha Gandy and her mischievous puppy Ella Fitzgerald. Ella's puppy antics are
almost completely out of control; Latasha must work hard to train Ella to be an obedient dog,
even as she deals with the daily pressures of school and the repercussions of her mother's
difficult new job. A handful of black-and-white illustrations enhance this heartwarming story
about an African-American girl and her canine friend learning what it means to grow up and be
responsible, together.

Racism is not something that will be defeated easily. "Nilda" is a novel following young Puerto
Rican girl Nilda, as she faces oppression growing up in New York City as an immigrant.
Through it all, she faces everything and learns much about the world, faith, family, and much
more on the backdrop of the rapidly changing era of World War II. "Nilda" is a coming of age
novel, very much recommended.

When it all rides on one thing to survive, the strength shown in its pursuit can be amazing. "Dragonfly Landing" is a young adult fiction novel following a pair of insect friends charged with preventing the destruction of their home. It won't be easy for them to go against the insurmountable, but failure is not an option; they will stop at nothing to succeed. "Dragonfly Landing" is a fun read for young adults who want to embrace imagination.

ORDINARY BEAUTY tells of Sayre, who grew up knowing she was unplanned and unwanted.
She's been cursed and used her whole short life, but she's stuck by her mother anyway and tried
to be important to her even as her mother slipped further into addiction. Now her mother is near
death - and all Sayre wishes is to be assured of her love. ORDINARY BEAUTY is a moving
saga of family relationships and love which is a pick for any mature teen reader.

PASSION by Lauren Kate (9780385739160, $17.99) provides a new Fallen novel, the third in
the series, and is a recommendation for readers who have loved the prior books. Here Luce
revisits her past incarnations to understand her fate, seeking to rid herself of the curse that makes
her love with Daniel impossible. Luce has died for Daniel - over and over again. But she's sure
something in her past life can break this pattern - and her journey to witness past romances with
Daniel may change her life once and for all in this fine fantasy for high school teens. Barrie
Summy's I SO DON'T DO FAMOUS (9780385737906, $16.99) provides the first-person story of
a girl who has a boyfriend who's in eighth grade, and who is known for solving cases thanks to
the help of her ghost mother in the spirit world. Her discovery of a mystery on Hollywood
Boulevard, where someone's stealing from the homes of celebrities, makes for an intriguing and
zany story kids will find different. Kirby Larson's THE FRIENDSHIP DOLL (9780385737456,
$15.99) is written from the viewpoint of a doll who in 1927 joins fifty-seven doll 'sisters' to
journey to another country as Ambassadors of Friendship. Based on the true story the Friendship
Dolls, this provides a satisfying fictional tale of the dolls and how they achieved the goal of
bringing friendship and cross-cultural connections to a range of lives.

The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Beautifully illustrated with stunning, full-color photographs on every page Animals Alive: The
Fight for Survival in the Wild introduces young adults to the difficult and dangerous natural
world that animals must face every day in their battle to survive. Chapters describe the many
threats that menace endangered species today (many of which are instigated or exacerbated by
humans): habitat loss, climate change, hunting, dwindling food supplies, pollution, disease, and
natural hazards. From the feisty Tasmanian devil to the brilliant golden toad to the captivating
jaguar and more, Animals Alive superbly showcases the rigors that wildlife must face and is
highly recommended for young nature lovers and public library collections. Also a choice pick
from DK Publishing is Jane Bull's "Make It!" (9780756682286, $12.99), an amazingly practical
crafting book filled with creative project ideas from leftover scraps and recyclable materials.

"Big Cat, Little Kitty" presents a stunningly illustrated set of pairs of cats to show the relatedness
of big cat species to the more familiar and much smaller domestic cat breeds. Big cat species
depicted include the lion, tiger, jaguar, bobcat, cheetah, snow leopard and cougar. Many
examples of domestic felines are shown in contrast, though they have similar characteristics. At
the end of "Big Cat, Little Kitty" there are fun facts for creative minds, plus a map and matching
activity for the 7 cats of the world featured, plus Cat True False Questions and Cat Senses and
Adaptations. Further teaching activities are available at, www.SylvanDellPublishing.com for
children age 5 and up. "Big Cat, Little Kitty" is also available in eBooks with auto-flip and
auto-read, and in both English and Spanish.

"Baby Kitten Wants a Friend" is a new publication from the Photo Adventure Books series for
children pre-K to grade 2. The action-packed narrative is perfectly illustrated by full page color
photos of a kitten exploring her world in search of a friend. Fun facts are highlighted in insets
called fact stops, with further photo illustrations of the fun facts. "Baby Kitten Wants a Friend" is
designed to be used in three possible ways: independent reading of the text by early readers,
shared reading with a parent or other adult, or shared reading buddy style in a school or home
setting. Questions at the Look Back section at the end of the book encourage the students to
remember what they learned from each Fact Stop and other reading. Also recommended in this
series is "Baby Tiger Wants to Explore," by Alice Green (ISBN 9781601152879, $9.95
hardback).

"A Friend for Einstein: The Smallest Stallion" tells the story of the smallest miniature hose ever
born, a mini-miniature horse named Einstein. Einstein's hooves were about the size of quarters,
but he was still a real horse, just very small. Who could be a friend for Einstein? This beautiful
photo essay explores Einstein's search for a friend. Will it be a kitten, a tortoise, a bunny, or a
duck? Or none of the above? Finally Einstein meets a loving dog named Lily. They play together
happily in the sunny meadow. Children of all ages will enjoy this tender story of a celebrity
horse, the smallest stallion. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of "A Friend for Einstein"
goes to the ASPCA Equine Fund.

"Tecolote: The Little Horse That Could" is a beautiful photo-illustrated true story about a foal born prematurely who finds a happy life despite extreme odds against him. Tecolote, a tiny Peruvian Paso buckskin colt, is born 10 days early, on a freezing night. His mother, Rosie, is so protective of him that she bites the arm of her human owner. They are unable to rescue the baby colt the night he is born and after calling the vet, they return the next day. With extra special handling, the ranch family and helper Tony are able to persuade Tecolote's mother, Rosie, to come into the shelter with her colt, and he receives the special care he needs to grow strong enough to survive. Happy days were to follow, but also sadness, for Rosie the mother of Tecolote, who was an aged and ill mare, died when he was only 5 months old. The problem became who would help Tecolote to finish his growing up and learning how to be an adult horse. Fortunately, the ranch family who owned Tecolote found a creative solution to the little boy horse's loneliness in another special needs horse, Tio Eddie. Tio Eddie needed a job to do and Tecolote needed a mentor. With careful introductions, the two became best buddies and proceeded to help each other. The rest of the story of "Tecolote: The Little Horse That Could" goes on to explore another horse friendship that enriched both horses' lives as well as the lives of the humans who cared for them. "Tecolote: The Little Horse That Could" is a warm inspirational true story about a magnificent animal whose kind heart is only a reflection of the love and joy of his kind owners. This story will appeal to both children and adults.

THE MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE: TINY BUT MIGHTY offers fun drawings by artist David
Brooks to accompany over 40 photos as it considers the life and natural history of a tiny beetle
that is killing entire forests in the Rocky Mountains. From the nature of the beetle to how trees
are fighting back, this tells how the beetle survives winter, chooses trees to attack, and how it is
an epidemic in the forest. Kids in grades 3-4 with good reading skills will find this an involving
survey.

The Gaming Shelf

Chess Openings for Kids features no fewer than 50 excellent opening plays for the game of
chess. Each opening is featured in a two-page spread and illustrated with black-and-white
diagrams. Chess Openings for Kids does not shy away from chess shorthand in its explanations,
and is in fact an excellent beginner's guide for chess players of all ages and backgrounds. Highly
recommended, especially as a resource for school chess clubs.

"How Kwaku Ananse, Master Hairstylist, Saved the Animal Kingdom, An Ashanti Folktale" is a
modern interpretation of an ancient Ashanti tale about a creative response to bullying tactics.
Kwaku Ananse is a special spider, a wise and crafty trickster character in Ashanti traditions who
teaches many things. Kwaku Ananse is the wisest and bravest of all creatures. When all the
animals are suffering because of Lion's bullying and destructive behavior, they come to Kwaku
Ananse, who is a hairstylist for all the animals, relates a plan. All the animals cooperate, and in
showing off their new, creative hairstyles, they touch the vanity of Lion, who roars to demand an
even more beautiful hairstyle. The cleverness with which Kwaku Ananse traps Lion and then
confronts him with his own rude and thoughtless behavior is truly admirable. Beautiful, exotic
illustrations bring the animal but human-like characters to life, and children will delight in the
adeptness of Kwaku Ananse and indeed all the animals. Finally the animals decide to seek
different places to live where they will be safe from the bullying of Lion. At the end of the book,
there are concept review and reflection questions to help children identify possible wise
strategies to respond to bullying behavior. "How Kwaku Ananse, Master Hairstylist, Saved the
Animal Kingdom" is a beautiful retelling of a mythic tale with modern applications, written for
children age 6 and up.

"The Enchanted Flounder" is a Gram's Fairy Tales re imagining of the original Grimm's fairy
tales without the scary elements, including violence. The emphasis in this Grandparent Approved
series is on tickles and giggles, not violence and scary stuff. "The Enchanted Flounder" is a true
classic revisited, laced with lyrical humor and piquant vision. Charming illustrations show the
progression of the wishes granted by a small green-eyed princess transformed into a flounder to a
poor humble fisherman with a greedy wife. In the end, everyone gets exactly what they wish for,
even if it doesn't quite turn out as they imagined. And yes, there is a happily ever after, quite
satisfying for both children and adults.

"Princess to the Rescue" is an alternative take on traditional fairytales and story telling. Rather
than being helpless and in need of rescue, the (female) princess is spunky, resourceful, and brave,
and saves the prince. Adults and kids will chuckle their way through "Princess to the Rescue,"
and savor extra enjoyment when child-like crayoned illustrations adorn the larger, humorous
sketches in color. Teaching that gender is not a requirement for brave, courageous action,
"Princess to the Rescue" will wind its way into the heart even as it topples cherished old
stereotypes dissolved in laughter.

"The Pirate and the Penguin" is a delightful illustrated fable about two unlikely friends who meet
seeking different dreams. Penguin has itchy feet and wants adventure and sunshine, and Pirate is
tired of voyaging, treasure-hunting, and scratchy sunburns, and wants to find inner peace. The
meeting of Pirate and Penguin is predictably chaotic, and ultimately, the two decide to trade
places to seek their dreams. This highly enterprising pair find unusual happiness in their
exchange, and one pirate's tired tour becomes one penguin's life fulfillment, while a very
despairing, bored pirate, finds cool inner peace and contentment on an Antarctic ice shelf. "The
Pirate and the Penguin" is an imaginative interpretation of the "Prince and the Pauper" theme that
will appeal to kids age 4 and up. Spunky, wacky, cartoon-like color illustrations add to the story
appeal and impact.

The Audiobook Shelf

Pirates! is an unabridged audiobook history of feared sea thieves, packed with amazing and
extraordinary facts. Though intended especially for young adults, Pirates! will enthrall listeners
of all ages with its true tales of legendary pirates, their buried treasure, and even women who
dressed as men on pirate ships. Highly recommended, especially for school and public library
young adult audiobook collections. 2 CDs, 2 hours 38 min.2 CDs, 2 hours 38 min. Also a choice
pick for listeners young and old is Naxos' unabridged audiobook adaptation of David Angus'
"The Vikings", read by Joe Marsh (2 CDs, 2 hours 25 min.), an absorbing documentary of the
raiders and looters who plundered the coasts of Europe from the 8th to the 11th centuries.

Nate the Great Collected Stories: Volume 3 gathers the third collection of classic children's
mystery stories featuring Nate the Great and his faithful canine companion Sludge.
Enthusiastically performed by Broadway actor John Lavelle, the tales include "The Lost List",
"The Sticky Case", "The Fishy Prize", "The Boring Beach Bag", "The Stolen Base", "The Mushy
Valentine", "Talks Turkey", and "The Hungry Book Club", a particularly shocking story about a
monster that rips pages out of books (how utterly abominable)! A delight for young listeners,
Nate the Great Collected Stories: Volume 3 is especially recommended for car trips, rainy day
fun, and children's public library audiobook collections. 4 hours.

Back to the Garden (33 min.) is the third music CD by musician Ted Jacobs, who has a special
talent for setting the lyrics of classic children's poems to music. From a waltzing melody to
complement Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Swing", to a country jig for "Autumn Fires", to the
moody, instrumental strains interspersed in "The Land of Nod". A delightful, family-friendly
album sure to appeal to all ages, highly recommended. The tracks are "A Good Play" (1:47),
"The Swing" (2:04), "My Ship and I" (2:11), "Farewell to the Farm" (2:28), "Autumn Fires"
(2:21), "Picture Books in Winter" (2:51), "Keepsake Mill" (3:09), "The Hayloft" (2:27), "The
Land of Nod" (3:17), "To My Name Child" (4:17), "My Kingdom" (3:05), and "Escape at
Bedtime" (2:27).

Rockin' Aerobics is more than just a children's music CD - it promotes healthy exercise by
encouraging young listeners to get up and move! Easy-to-follow routines and catchy music
encourage young people to engage in all different gross motor movements. An interstitial section
called "Brain Breaks" consists of short activities encouraging young people to use their brains as
well as their bodies! In a modern world increasingly saturated with sedentary activities and video
games, Rockin' Aerobics is a breath of fresh air and enthusiastically recommended for families
everywhere. The tracks are "Latin Heat" (2:38), "Hip Hoppin' Groove Mooves" (2:29), "In a
Mumbai Mood" (2:25), "Country Stroll" (3:38), "Hustle Bustle" (2:47), "Rockin' Aerobics"
(3:03), "Bluegrass Stomp" (2:12), "Disco Disco" (3:11), "Bop N' Roll" (2:30), "Rap Zap" (2:55),
"Classic Cool Down" (3:12), "Surfin' the Brain Wave" (1:14), "Mariachi Mind Moves" (1:05),
"Timeout" (1:12), "Latin Heat Instrumental" (2:38), "Hip Hoppin' Instr." (2:29), "Mumbai Mood
Instr." (2:25), "Hustle Bustle Instr." (2:47), "Rockin' Aerobics" (3:03), "Bluegrass Stomp"
(2:12).

Making Silly Faces
Nick Deysher, a.k.a. In the Nick of Time
In the Nick of Time Music
c/o Waldmania!
130 Maywood Drive
San Francisco, CA 94127
$14.99 www.inthenickoftimemusic.com

Parents' Choice Gold Award-winning children's musician Nick Deysher, recording under the
moniker In the Nick of Time, presents Making Silly Faces, a cheerful children's music album
encapsulating a little bit of everything, from rock, pop, and disco to reggae, funk and jazz. The
cheerful songs reach out to young people and are sure to bring smiles to their faces. The tracks
are "The Sun Is Up", "Making Silly Faces", "Dancing Pants", "Pirates Never Say Please", "High
Five Hive", "Abajo/Arriba", "In the Nick of Time", "I Tried It, I Liked It!", "Punk Rocks",
"Slumber Party", "It's Easy Being Green", "You've Got To Have Patience", and "Let's Hear It for
the Band". 37 min.

Fourth in the award-winning "Celebrate Earth" series of music CDs intended especially for
children ages 4-12, Wild Child features a panoply of children's musicians performing songs on
the common theme of African wildlife. In keeping with the environmental theme, a portion of the
profits from Wild Child will benefit Roots and Shoots, the children's branch of the Jane Goodall
Institute. A wonderfully catchy and uplifting children's music album, highly recommended. The
tracks are "Earthly Lullaby" (4:07), "Serengeti" (3:44), "Rainforest By Morning" (3:48), "Sunrise
in the Jungle" (5:09), "Rita The Cheetah" (3:48), "Africa Calling" (3:57), "Mysteries of the Nile"
(3:45), "Elephant in the Congo" (3:28), "Drumming With The Animals" (2:50), "Animals"
(2:17), "Just Another Day In The Jungle" (2:48), "Mountain Lion" (2:49), "Thula Baba" (1:56),
and "Full Moon Over Africa" (3:42).

Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Piano Classics is a unique, family-friendly pairing of classical
piano music and catchy lyrics. Part of an award-winning and Grammy-nominated series,
Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Piano Classics is a wonderful introduction to the joys of classical
music; half of the tricks are sing-along songs, while the other half simply instrumental classics,
beautifully performed. Highly recommended, especially for public library children's music
collections. 46 min.

Part of the Great Composer series, My Name is Handel: The Story of Handel's 'Water Music' is a
music CD telling the story of Handel, who decides to offer a unique musical gift to King George
I during a royal boat trip on the River Thames. The London Philharmonic Orchestra brings the
story to life with music from the great classics "Water Music", "Messiah", and "Rinaldo". My
Name is Handel is a wonderful way to introduce young people ages seven and up to the majesty
of great music, yet its timeless appeal will reach out to family members of all ages. Highly
recommended, especially as a gift to families or for public library music CD collections. 48 min.
45 sec.

The Animated Kid's Bible is an extraordinary, three-DVD set that brings classic stories of the
Bible to life with computer animation! Completely faithful to the religious and spiritual message
of the holy book, The Animated Kid's Bible vividly renders six great tales with vibrant and
colorful imagery. The programs are "Adam and Eve: The Creation Story", "Noah's Ark: The
Voyage", "Tower of Babel: Towering Pride & True Lies", "Sodom & Gomorrah: Rain of Fire",
"Abraham & His Sons: Brothers At War", and "Joseph & His Brothers: The Dream Reader". The
animated Kid's Bible is as family-friendly as possible, given the historical violence and suffering
recounted in these classic Biblical tales, and is strongly recommended especially for Christian
family and church DVD collections. 229 min.

Intended for children ages 3-7, All the World is the DVD adaptation of the Caldecott Honor
picturebook written by Liz Garton Scanlon and warmly illustrated by Marla Frazee. A read-along
feature enhances the loving story following a circle of family and friends during an ordinary day,
emphasizing the wonder and value of even the smallest of joys, especially when momentary
treasures - such as experiencing the beauty of the sunset - are shared. An interview with the
Marla Frazee rounds out this excellent addition to public and school library children's DVD
collections. 8 minutes.

The Graphic Novel Shelf

Part of the "Graphic Biography" series by Saddleback Educational Publishing, Michael Jackson
is a completely truthful and factual graphic novel biography of the famous pop star singer.
Accessible to readers of all ages, this thoughtful retelling does not ignore the dark sides of
Michael Jackson's life, including but not limited to allegations of child abuse and drug addiction.
Highly recommended, especially for public and school library collections.

The Math Shelf

Math can be fun if you present it right. "Math Dictionary for Kids" is a guide to the many forms
of mathematics children will encounter in elementary and secondary schools such as Algebra,
Geometry, Fractions, and much more. Designed as a reference to help with homework, Theresa
A. Fitzgerald walks students and parents through many lessons, accompanied with sample
problems and full color illustrations throughout. For any parent who wants to be prepared in
helping their child with their homework, "Math Dictionary for Kids" is an excellent pick, very
much recommended.

The Philosophy Shelf

"Peculiar Stories" is a great collection of philosophical explorations disguised as a young girl's
ongoing dialogues and interactions with an eccentric uncle about the vicissitudes of life (as
experienced by a 10 year old). Uncle E is in fact a kind and loving human teacher, one of the
absolute best. How do you define spaciousness, inside yourself? What do you do with mean girls
who try to bully you? What can you learn from your cat? All this and many more questions are
dealt with in very peculiar ways, that end up encouraging young (and old) minds to stretch and
grow. The author, Mora Fields, has been called the "Mark Twain of spiritual literature." "Peculiar
Stories" is inspirational and thought provoking evidence that she really deserves this honorific
label. "Peculiar Stories" may be written for kids age 8 and up, but lots of adults will enjoy
reading it too, to discover what they used to know when they were kids.

A Child's Book of Animal Poems and Blessings is a hardcover collection of classic children's
poems with two themes: animal life and respectful spirituality. From a poem by Lewis Carroll to
a Cochiti Indian poem about the deer, to a poem by an anonymous African pygmy about fish and
much more, A Child's Book of Animal Poems and Blessings is an eclectic and extraordinary
collection, perfect for reading aloud at storytime or bedtime, and brought to life with stylized
color illustrations.

The Biography Shelf

"Mohandas Gandhi, Champion of Freedom" is a biography of the great Indian leader and hero,
creator of nonviolent protest and father to the self-governed nation of India. Nine chapters
condense the complexities of the great figure's life and deeds, illustrated with many black and
white photos and illustrations. A feature of "Mohandas Gandhi, Champion of Freedom" is the
quiet emphasis placed not only on the life of Gandhi himself, but also the influence of Kasturbai
Gandhi, his wife. Determined to create an India for Indians, Gandhi pursues his path with great
patience, endurance, and vision. He determines a pathway of peaceful protest for all to follow
which is called satyagraha. Gradually, with many adjustments and setbacks, this evolves into
nonviolent protest, a tactic for which Gandhi wrote the manual repeatedly. In response to the
atomic attack on Nagasaki, Gandhi said, "mankind has to get out of violence only through
non-violence. Hatred can be overcome only by love." A devout Hindu and profound believer in
India home rule, Gandhi's legacy is vast beyond measure. Impeccably researched and presented,
"Mohandas Gandhi, Champion of Freedom" introduces the man and presents salient details of his
life for young readers to digest and integrate. A timeline, list of sources, and bibliography plus
websites complete this ambitious and well researched biography.

"Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis" is a beautifully illustrated story of the life of
Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis. Born in South Ohio, Nova Scotia, Maud eventually moved to
Yarmouth and then later to Digby and Marshalltown, where she met her husband, Everett Lewis.
Maud suffered from physical handicaps and crippling arthritis, but despite severe pain and
extreme poverty, she captured joy in her marvelous paintings. Living all her adult life in a tiny
house with no plumbing or electricity, she transformed her surroundings with her painted flowers
and butterflies and scenes. She sold post cards, Christmas cards, and paintings that she made to
help support herself and Everett. Though it was a hard life, her paintings reflect only a simple,
natural joy in nature and life. "Capturing Joy" has many charming reproductions of Maud Lewis'
paintings, plus many small, poignant black and white pencil drawings of the artist in her daily
life, sensitively done by illustrator Mark Lang. "Capturing Joy" is written for children ages 7-10,
a truly inspirational story of a transformed life, ending in the bequest of Maud Lewis to future
generations, her painting. It is a rich legacy.

Books in Series

Stephen Krensky's "Documents of Democracy" series teaches young adults in grades eight and up
about documents crucial to the birth and history of the United States of America. Colorful
illustrations and reader-friendly text examine the history, purposes, and repercussions of each of
these nation-changing writings. The result is a superb educational series, highly recommended
especially for public and high school library collections. The volumes are "The Declaration of
Independence" (9780761449133), "The Constitution" (9780761449171), "The Bill of Rights"
(9780761449126), and "The Emancipation Proclamation" (9780761449157).

Former teacher Sue Graves presents the "Our Emotions and Behavior" series, created to help
children ages 4 to 8 better understand the connection between their emotions and actions.
Exuberant color illustrations bring to life simple stories about ordinary children interacting with
their friends at school or at play. The final pages of each book offer suggestions for adults in
sharing ways to effective cope and deal with feelings. The "Our Emotions and Behavior" series is
enthusiastically recommended for parents as well as school and library children's collections. The
titles are "Not Fair, Won't Share: A Book About Sharing" (9781575423753), "Who Feels
Scared? A Book About Being Afraid" (9781575423746), "I'm Not Happy: A Book About
Feeling Sad" (9781575423739), and "But Why Can't I? A Book About Rules"
(9781575423760).

The "Cooking Healthy" series for young adults features not only recipes, but a wealth of valuable information about how to select healthy foods and basic techniques for preparing them. Although "Cooking Healthy" is intended for young adults, readers of all ages who are new to the art of cooking will benefit from the straightforward instructions illustrated with full color pictures. Highly recommended for school and public library collections, especially as a countermeasure to the modern-day overabundance of sugary processed foods and widespread obesity. The titles are "Cooking with Fruits and Vegetables" by Claire Llewellyn and Clare O'Shea (9781448848447), "Cooking with Cereals and Grains" by Jillian Powell and Clare O'Shea (9781448848423), "Cooking with Eggs and Dairy" by Powell and O'Shea (9781448848430), and "Cooking with Meat and Fish" by Llewellyn and O'Shea (9781448848454).

Five new books in the "District 10" series of young adult sports-themed novels are written
especially for a 1-2 grade reading level. Reaching out especially to young boys, each book
features a different young man struggling with the demands of athletic competition, from the
taxing rigors of training to the high tension of playing against a rival team. Highly recommended
especially as a means to introduce more boys to the joy of reading. The titles are "Before the
Snap" (9781616515812, a football story), "Down and Out" (9781616515829, football), "The
Handoff" (9781616515836, track), "Hit Just Right" (9781616515843, baseball), and "A Second
Shot" (9781616515805, basketball).

Morgan Reynolds provides fine picks for advanced elementary to early middle school grade
levels, and these new releases are some top recommendations for any collection looking for
books suitable for reference and reports. Kem Knapp Sawyer's CHAMPION OF FREEDOM:
MOHANDAS GANDHI (1599351668, $28.95) provides over 140 pages packed with
biographical detail on Gandhi's life and achievements, telling how the London-trained lawyer left
his native India to handle a legal matter for two Indian merchants in South Africa, only to find
himself resisting the country's racial laws. Gandhi remained in South Africa for over two years
and it was there that he formed his methods for nonviolent resistance, which he then brought
back to India. An outstanding account of Gandhi's early influences, this is key to any
understanding of his life and times. David Aretha's THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT:
BLACK POWER (1599351641, $28.95) offers a little over a hundred pages of discussion on the
Black Power movement of the 1960s and 70s, offering insights into how it evolved, how it
changed American culture and society, and how leaders of the movement successfully advocated
a national black agenda. Any middle school collection with a strong focus in Mexican history and
culture will find R. Conrad Stein's 'The Story of Mexico' series provides a fine in-depth
discussion of the country's key figures and evolution. The account begins with ANCIENT
MEXICO (1599351617, $26.95), covering the first Mexicans who traveled in bands and built
villages that eventually evolved into cities and societies such as the Olmecs and Aztecs.
MODERN MEXICO (1599351625, $26.95) moves into the period after the Mexican Revolution,
which marked the start of modern Mexican development. From its evolving politics to its
evolving social issues, this covers Mexico's growth into its current power. THE
MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR (1599351609, $26.95), which was fought from 1846 to 1848, is
covered in detail here which is a fine achievement given that the war is somewhat overlooked in
American history books due to the Civil War's proximity on the timeline. Chapters cover the
defeat of the Mexicans and how the war resulted in half their land being taken over by the U.S.
EMILIANO ZAPATA AND THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION (1599351633, $26.95) tells how
local hero Emiliano Zapata arise from the Revolution to become a leader for his peoples' rights.
He lead the landless farmers of southern Mexico in their struggle against oppression and was
killed late in the war - but his legacy lives on. All are fine picks for any collection looking for
in-depth coverage of Mexican history.

Picturebook collections seeking unusual paperbacks for ages 6-9 by Patrice Racine will find
these 40-page whimsical adventures comprising the 'The Adventures of Cosmo the Dodo Bird'
series to be a fine pick for even the most reluctant reader. Eye-catching covers with dodos and
monsters in full color accompany fun stories of the hero Cosmo, which has been a big hit in
Quebec and appears here for English reader for the first time. Cosmo is a hero of the
environment, and his adventures center around environmental issues and protection. THE
MYSTERIOUS SUBSTANCE (9781770492479, $7.95), THE GREAT ILLUSION
(9781770492486, $7.95), A FRIENDSHIP BEGINS (9781770492462, $7.95), and IN SEARCH
OF THE JEWEL (9781770492455, $7.95) each introduce kids to positive action for planetary
gain - but it's the very bright color-filled pages that deliver the effective message couched in an
adventure discovery series perfect for all ages.

The 'Tadpole' easy reading series expands with 12 new exciting titles, directed to reading Grade
K-3 and packed with color illustrations, fun plots, and 24 pages of easy reading detail. Each book
includes notes for adults, puzzles, and a fun large-color-illustration format perfect for kids! Andy
Blackford and Hannah Wood's BILL'S BIKE (9780778705758, $16.95) is a simple exploration
of a boy's bike and training wheels, Alan Blackford works with Gabriele Antonini in THE
HUNGRY LITTLE MONKEY (9780778705819, $16.95), about a monkey frustrated by a
banana, Pippa Goodhart and Sandra Aguilar's BIG CAT (9780778705741, $16.95) tells of a cat
who likes to chase mice ... until he meets volume resistance, Sue Graves and Michael Garton's
HARRY AND THE HORSE (9780778705796, $16.95) tells of a special ride at the fair on a
horse named Magic, Sue Graves works with Richard Watson on A CAKE FOR DINNER
(9780778705727, $16.95), in which a cake planned for Grandma brings a mother and daughter to
disaster, Margaret Nash and Lisa Williams' DOG'S NEW COAT (9780778705765, $16.95) tells
of a spotty new coat that just wont' go away, Ann Bryant and Garyfallia Leftheri's THE LOST
BROOMSTICK (9780778705710, $16.95) tells of a young witch who loses her broomstick and
how its finders keep losing it, Ann Bryant and Terry Pastor's HURRY UP! (9780778705802,
$16.95) tells of a little tractor who is holding up all the other vehicles on the road, Clare
DeMarco and Melanie Sharp's FREDDY'S TEDDY (9780778705772, $16.95) tells of a ripped
teddy bear and a mother's attempt at fixing him, Leon Read and Clare Elsom's GEORGE THE
KNIGHT (9780778705789, $16.95) tells of George, who needs too much equipment to be the
kind of knight he longs to be, Jillian Powell and Beccy Blake's OH, JET! (9780778705826,
$16.95) tells of a dog who plays fetch, only to bring back the wrong thing, and Evelyn Foster and
Richard Morgan's ALAN AND THE ANIMALS (9780778705734, $16.95) tells of a boy with
too many wild animals: where does he keep them all? The vivid color drawings and fun, varied
reads will delight very early readers.